Ben Johnson: From Stuntman to Hollywood Star and Real Estate Mogul
In 1953, Ben Johnson experienced a challenging year. He remarked, “At the end of the year, I didn’t have $3. All I had was a wore-out automobile and a mad wife.” Standing at 6-foot-2, Johnson decided to return to the film industry, where he had previously worked as a stunt double for icons such as Gary Cooper, Joel McCrea, Gene Autry, and Roy Rogers.
Johnson’s entry into Hollywood began when he was a 21-year-old ranch hand in Oklahoma. His significant break occurred when he delivered 16 horses to a movie set, earning an impressive $300. This opportunity led to his hiring by producer Howard Hughes as a stuntman and wrangler, and during this time, he met his future wife, Carol, in Flagstaff, Arizona.
In 1947, while working as a stunt double for Henry Fonda in “Fort Apache,” Johnson’s quick thinking and bravery saved three stuntmen’s lives by stopping a runaway wagon during a scene. Director John Ford recognized his heroism and rewarded him with a seven-year contract worth $5,000 a week.
Johnson’s film career includes memorable roles in “The Wild Bunch,” “Shane,” “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon,” “Rio Grande,” “Chisum,” “The Sugarland Express,” and “Angels in the Outfield.”
By the 1980s, Johnson had built a substantial fortune through real estate investments, with his net worth reaching $200 million. His achievements were recognized with his induction into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1979 and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.
Ben Johnson passed away in 1996, leaving a lasting legacy of courage, talent, and business acumen, rising from humble beginnings to become a celebrated actor and millionaire.
